An autopsy on a missing man who was found in a swamp says his death was an accident.

Benjamin Courtney of Williamston was reported missing Wednesday night from a Rocky Mount group home. His body was found in a swamp within walking distance from the Lancaster Street group home the next day.

The Pitt County Medical Examiner's Office said Friday that after an autopsy the 32-year-old man's death was ruled an accidental drowning.

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Police say the Williamston man found dead in Rocky Mount was just about a half-mile from where he lived.

Rocky Mount police say an autopsy will be conducted on 32-year-old Benjamin Courtney to determine how he died. His body was found in a swamp in walking distance from the group home he lived at on Lancaster St.

Courtney's body was found after an extensive search on the ground and by air Thursday, police said. A Silver Alert was issued for him on earlier in the day.

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The Rocky Mount Police Department says a missing man was found dead Thursday in a swamp.

A Silver Alert was issued for 32-year-old Benjamin Courtney from Williamston Thursday after he walked away from a group home on Lancaster Street in Rocky Mount. He was reported missing Wednesday night.

Officers say 2 people were reported missing and one was found early Thursday morning, but the search for Courtney continued Thursday. Police say his body was discovered late Thursday afternoon in a swamp in Rocky Mount.

Police say the cause of death is under investigation.

Several agencies helped in the search including Nash County Emergency Management, a Highway Patrol air unit, Nash County Search & Rescue, N.C. Emergency Management,the Rocky Mount Fire Department, Edgecombe County Emergency Management and EMS and the Nash Community College EMT Cadets.

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